The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-27
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WashInston special.
Two of the Southern companies taking part in
the national drill have managed to gain a little
notoriety. Some weeks ago several Southern
organizations which had intended to be on hand
withdrew because it was alleged colored compa-
MES were to be recognized It was claimed that
their intolerance was not approved by the peo-
pie of the South. number of colored mill
tarv ORGANIZATIONS have been In the drill. and
most of them have gained golden opinions This
seems to have been too much for the sensitive
Southrons, and two of the companies dropped
out of the uarade. all on account. they say, OF
the .'niggers" The Critic gives the following
version of the matter:
After the ambulance of the Red Cross Soci-
ETY., which brought up the rear of the parade.
had passed the reviewing stand, the crowd
thought that the procession was over, as no
other organizations were in sight. and closed IN
upon the ambulance after the fashion of crowds
at street parades. A few minutes later the
Vicksburg Southrons and the Memphis Mer-
chant Zouaves hove in sight and passed the
stand like separate contingent They were
reviewed by the President and after marching
to the corner of Fourteenth street and the ave.
~nue. turned down Fourteenth and marched
around the reservation opposite the old Pension
Office. and back to Willards Hotel
Captain Searles, of the Southrons. when
asked why his company and the Zouaves had
dropped out of the parade, said: ii is all on ae-
count of the company of 'niggers' which marched
IN front of u.s. When the question was raised
to allowing colored companies in the drill wrote
Secretary DE Leon, and asked him II we were
pected to parade do guard duty, associate
IN any way with those we considered to be below
in the social scale. Mr.. De Leon said
would net be associated in any way with the col
ored troops. and it this assurance that
we came to the drill. Before we left home the
people reminded us that we were Southern gen.
temen and represented the city of Vicksburg
before the United States. and. of course. we
must not let ourselves be placed
equality with the negroes. Yesterday colored
company drilled before We didn't mind
that. but when it came to placing this
organization of colored people right before
ris. then we objected We spoke to Major Shelf
field. commanding our division. about it. and he
went to General Anger, but as nothing was done
about it decided to drop out, and rhe Mem
phis Zouaves followed We could not let the
President of the United States US placed on
an equality with negroes
Captain Deffrey, of the Memphis Zouaves,
corroborates Captain Searles. The objectona-
BILE colored company is the Washington Cadet
Corps. of this city"
The common belief is that the Southrons were
moved chiefly by desire to gain notoriety and
insure themselves big reception at home. even
if they did 20 back without the prizes. Having
failed to cause any sensation BIZ their drilling or
parading they chose easier way of getting
name. They also succeeded in earning the con-
tempt OF the regular army officers who were de-
tailed to oversee the drill